Storylines Awards

Storylines Awards Background

Storylines, in line with its general advocacy for the development of New Zealand children’s literature, offers 11 awards to writers, illustrators, publishers and those working in the field of children’s literature and literacy.
These include:

All Storylines awards are chosen by appointed panels of acknowledged experts in children's literature, among them authors, illustrators, teachers, children's librarians, academics and whanau.

Storylines Award Deadlines

Deadlines, entry forms and guidelines for Storylines' achievement and manuscript awards are detailed on the pages for each award.:

Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award for outstanding service to New Zealand children’s literature. The award honours the ‘unsung heroes’ of children’s literature, either at a regional or national level. Deadline for nominations is 31 August each year and the presentation is usually held in November.

Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award for lifetime achievement and a distinguished contribution to New Zealand children’s literature and literacy. Deadline for nominations is 30 November each year and the presentation is held in early April the following year.

Storylines Notable Books Awards are presented in April for books published during the previous calendar year. Submissions are accepted from July from publishers and authors. Deadline for submissions is 30 November 2019.

Veteran children’s novelist Des Hunt was the recipient of the 2017 Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal. Des is the much-admired author of more than 20 acclaimed children’s and young adult novels, most set in New Zealand with strong environment and science themes. Read the full press release here.

Des received his award and presented the 2017 Margaret Mahy Lecture in Auckland on 2 April, at the annual Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal Presentation and Awards Day. Read more here. You can see a video of Des' lecture here.

Other Award winners also received their awards, and Notable Book winners were presented with certificates. Read more on each of the Awards pages. You can read details of all the Awards on the links below:

Storylines, in line with its general advocacy for the development of New Zealand children’s literature, offers eight awards to writers, illustrators, publishers and those working in the field of children’s literature and literacy.

These awards are nationally and internationally recognised, acknowledging achievement and service and providing opportunities for new and emerging talent.

Most awards are presented at the Storylines Margaret Mahy Day in March/April each year, at which the winner of the Margaret Mahy Medal presents a lecture on a topic of their choice. The Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award recipient delivers the Storylines Spring Lecture at an award presentation usually held in November.

ABOUT US

Storylines Trust Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki and Friends of Storylines Te Pou o Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki together form New Zealand’s only national organisation working year-round to promote New Zealand children’s and young adult literature through activities that include a major national Story Tour to schools, early childhood centres and communities, and awards for writers, illustrators and those who work in the area of New Zealand children’s literature

SIGN UP

for Storylines e-news and updates

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

In order to assist us in reducing spam, please type the characters you see:

SUPPORT US

Storylines welcomes your support for all its activities and events. Whether as a volunteer or sponsor for annual events or specific activities, your support (large or small) towards helping young New Zealanders love books is greatly appreciated.